Many business owners face this frustrating problem, especially when working hard to create their websites and grow their online presence. Understanding why your business is not showing up on Google is crucial for connecting with more customers because if customers can’t find your business online, this negatively impacts sales, business performance, and ultimately the company’s bottom line profits.
If your business is not showing up on Google, this may be due to missing verification steps, incomplete information, poor optimisation, or sometimes due to Google penalties that business owners aren’t even unaware of. Fixing these factors requires a tailored solution, as focusing on the wrong issues creates further delays in reaching your targeted audience.
BeOnTop specialises in search engine optimisation (SEO) and helps customers identify the root causes of why their business is not showing up on Google. This blog will explain some of the reasons why your business lacks Google visibility and what you can do about it.
5 reasons why your business is not showing up on Google.
There can be multiple reasons why your business is not showing up on Google, but industry experts BeOnTop have summarised the top five reasons:
- Incomplete Google Business Profile: An incomplete Google Business Profile leads to poor visibility.
- Incorrect Information: Inaccurate contact details or even something as simple as incorrectly listed opening hours can damage business credibility and affect online visibility. Google favors business listings that provide users with reliable information.
- Missing Verification: If your business listing has not been verified by Google, it may not appear in the search function at all. Yikes! Remember that verifying validates the legitimacy of your business.
- Low Optimisation for Map Pack: The map pack is a feature located at the top of the Search Engine Results Pages (SERPs) and this highlights local businesses based on their location and the relevance of keywords entered into the Google search field. If a business listing isn’t optimised, that business may not feature at all (another yikes!), especially if locally, there is a high number of competing businesses.
High Competition for sought-after keywords: Websites should utilise keywords relating to their services and industry, otherwise, Google their page listing may be pushed down the search engine results due to paid advertising and other features. Your BeOnTop local SEO specialist will help refine the keywords in your website content to improve your page ranking.
Why are SERPs so important to website visibility?
Google’s Search Engine Results Page is often filled with advertising, map pack results, and other features well before organic search result listings appear. Therefore, a business listing should appear as close to the top of the page as possible to capture those potential customers before their competitors do.
BeOnTop assists clients in navigating this results page structure by working with our in-house advertising and local SEO specialists to get your business a higher page ranking. Using local SEO tips for businesses will help you understand how to improve your Google ranking position in local searches and help convert those clicks into sales opportunities.
What to do when your business is not showing up on Google after verification?
Business owners experiencing issues with their business not showing up on Google after verification is confusing but there are generally a few common reasons as to why this happens. Here’s how to address them:
- Inconsistent Information: Discrepancies between the details on your Google Business Profile and other online directories can limit online visibility. Make sure your NAP (Name, address, and phone number) are consistently displayed across all online and social media platforms.
- Category Selection: Selecting the wrong business category or neglecting to add relevant categories can also affect online visibility. Ensure that your selected categories accurately reflect the services or products your business provides.
- Google Processing Delays: Occasionally, Google needs extra time to display newly verified listings. These delays are usually temporary, so check periodically to see if your profile appears online which usually happens within a few days.
Google verification, is just one small way a business can optimise its profile, and crucial for visibility in Google business search results. BeOnTop also recommends regularly updating engaging and relevant content for your target audience such as blogs and social media posts. If these adjustments aren’t enough to get your business seen, our local SEO specialists provide tailored solutions to help your profile achieve better placement in local search results.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why won’t Google verify my business?
If Google won’t verify your business, it’s often due to issues like incomplete information, address discrepancies, or violations of Google’s guidelines. Verification is essential for your profile to appear on Google Maps and in local searches, so we recommend double-checking that all business details are accurate and match any other online listings. If your address isn’t recognised, try verifying by phone, email, or hard copy mail instead. At BeOnTop, we help businesses overcome verification challenges and ensure their profiles meet Google’s requirements, making it easier to connect with local customers.
Why can’t I see my business on Google?
Sometimes this is due to incomplete profiles, restricted visibility settings, or verification delays. If your profile is fully set up but still not showing up on a Google search, try checking your visibility settings within the Google Business Profile to ensure it’s accessible to the public. At BeOnTop, we’re here to help you troubleshoot these issues and boost your visibility so that local customers can easily find you online.
How long does it take for my Google Business Profile to be displayed on search listings and Google Maps?
Once your profile is verified, it typically takes up to three days for Google to process and display it in search results and on Google Maps. Delays can happen, especially if there’s a high volume of new listings for Google to process. During this period, make sure all business details are accurate and regularly monitor your profile for any alerts from Google. Our team at BeOnTop specialises in optimising business profiles and managing Google’s requirements, to save you time and help your business appear in online searches swiftly and efficiently.
